According to Ukraine’s military, Russian forces are hesitant to confront the U.S.-provided infantry fighting vehicles on the front lines, despite facing “fatigue” in one of Ukraine’s key brigades.
“Russians know what a Bradley is,” remarked Kristmas, a commander from Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade, in a social media post. “They do not want to meet this machine head-on. I probably wouldn’t want to if I were them either.”
The 47th Mechanized Brigade has been actively engaged in frontline combat, utilizing the U.S.-donated Bradley infantry fighting vehicles alongside M1 Abrams tanks. The Pentagon has dispatched over 300 Bradleys to Ukraine, including four support vehicles.
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As conflict rages across eastern Ukraine, both sides’ armored vehicles remain cautious of each other’s artillery and vigilant against drone strikes. Ukrainian billionaire Rinet Akhmetov’s Steel Front Initiative has been working on metal structures to protect the Abrams and Bradleys from Russian kamikaze drones.
Myronenko mentioned that drones currently pose the greatest threat to Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles, as they can immobilize them, rendering them vulnerable to follow-up attacks. “Russian artillery is always on the lookout for the Bradleys,” noted the brigade, highlighting the growing threat of these drones.
Operating near the Russian-controlled city of Avdiivka, the 47th Brigade’s soldiers have faced significant strain, with fatigue evident on their faces after 10 months of combat. Since early 2024, Russia has steadily gained ground in eastern Ukraine, with Avdiivka falling to its forces in February and a new offensive initiated in the northeastern Kharkiv region to stretch Ukrainian resources.
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry reported capturing Novoselivka Persha, located west of Avdiivka and southeast of Pokrovsk. Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that Russia had conducted 30 attacks around Pokrovsk recently, focusing its “main efforts” on areas near Zhelanne and Novooleksandrivka.